Tool for a locking band



13% 1955 H. A. SCOTT ET AL TOOL FOR A LOCKING BAND 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed 001;. 3, 1949 Inventors FIG. 3

HARRY A. SCOTT &

JOHN J. FERGUSON Attorneys Dec. 20, 1955 H. A. SCOTT ET AL 2,727,719

TOOL FOR A LOCKING BAND Filed Oct. 5, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I5 6 l 2|F|6.7 5 20 a l2 lNVENTOR-S l8 HARRY ASCOTT 8:

ATTORNEYS.

United StatesPatentO TOOL FOR A LOCKING BAND Harry A. Scott and John J.Ferguson, Van Wert, Ohio,

assignors to Continental Can Company, Inc, New York, N. Y., acorporation of New York' ..The invention described in detail in thefollowing specification relates to a tool or implement for actuating thelatch of a locking band or clamping ring as used with drums and othercontainers. The tool is designed for ellicient, facile operation ineffecting the latching and unlatching of such bands. M

It is well known to provide covers or closures for drums or the likewith clamping rings or locking bands which are first compressed orconstricted around the upper edge of the drums, and with the bandsthen'latched into position for storage and shipment.

We have found that, in ordinary use of such drums, the actuation of thelatch is troublesome if done manually. The present invention is inproviding a specially constructed and designed implement by which thelatch can be engaged and disengaged.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a simple tool orimplement which can be applied to the customary latch for actuation ofthe latter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device which willpermit the operator to apply the actuating effort at a point remote fromthe latch and in the clear space above the drum cover.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a latch actuatingtool with special facilities for conforming to the operating conditionsfound in the customary locking bands. For example, the novel tool isprovided with means to ride over projecting parts of the locking band inthe engaging operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a single unitarydevice, means for disengaging the latch, and thereafter facilitating theremoval of the drum cover.

Other advantages of the invention will be evident from the followingspecification.

For purposes of illustration, the preferred form of the invention willbe shown on the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of the improved tool or implement;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of a locking band in closedposition, with the latch being actuated by the tool;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse cross-section taken on the line 44 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the locking band in a closedposition with the latch fastened;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevation of the same, and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical cross-section on the line 77 of Fig. 6.

Briefly stated, the invention comprises a tool or implement of anintegral piece of sheet metal having portions at one end bent laterallyto engage the customary latch and bring it into fastening position,riding over the projecting parts of the locking band, if necessary.Likewise, the tool is equally well adapted for disengaging the latch.After the locking band is removed, then the tool is also 2,727,719Patented fiec. 20, 1955 particularly well adapted to assist in breakingthe friction grip of the closure on the drum.

We have shown in the drawings the usual retaining ring 5 which isclamped around the upper edge of the packing drum and holds the rollededge or head of the drum closure. This locking band includes a togglelever 6 by which the two ends of the band 5 are brought together inlocking position. The lever 6 rests against the side of the band 5 inclosed position.

This lever 6 has a cam edge 7 at its free end by which the device isforced into contact with the side of the band 5.

The lower side of the lever 6 has a rectangular notch 8. The lever 6 hasa tongue 9 between the cam edge 7 and the notch 8.

lnwardly of the notch 8 and parallel to the lower side edge of the lever6, is a ridge 10. This ridge 10 is formed by striking up the metal toleave a groove 11 on the underside, this groove being adapted to receivea fastening stud on thelatch proper.

The latch arm proper 12, is pivoted to a pivot pin or stud 13, extendingoutwardly from the side of the band 5 beyond the cam edge 7. This latcharm has a protuberance on its free end. This protuberance is positionedto fit in the groove 11 of lever 6 when the latch arm 12 is fullyengaged. The intermediate portion of the arm 12 is offset laterally, asshown in Fig. 2, so that it will ride over the tongue 9 of the arm 6. Inthe engaging operation, the shoulder of the arm 12 bears down on the camedge 7, while the free end fits into the notch 8 and allows theprotuberance 14 to spring into the groove 11.

The arrangement of parts set out above is already known and forms partof the invention for which application for patent has been filed byHarry A. Scott and John W. Spieker, September 20, 1948, Serial No.50,134, now Patent No. 2,579,975, granted December 25, 1951.

The engagement of the latch 12 and arm 6 above described is quite firm.In the movements either to engage or disengage the arm, considerableeffort must be exerted. The clearance of the parts is such that littlespace is offered for operating the latch arm by hand alone, and it isnot adapted for actuation by tools usually at hand.

We have therefore devised a tool which is the subject of this invention,with the particular object in view of quickly and certainly engaging thelatch arm and operating it in either direction from a convenientposition in the space above the drum and its cover.

The tool 15 consists of a single bar of rigid material, preferably sheetmetal. This metal can be stamped out to form an appropriate blank, whichmay then be shaped in the particular form desired. One end 16constitutes the handle portion. The opposite end 17 is pointed, due tothe converging of the side edges of the blank. One

diagonal edge is bent laterally at right angles to form a flange l8.Extending inwardly from the flange 18, the blank is slotted, as shown at19. The inner edge of the slot 19 is formed with a tongue 20. Thistongue is also bent inwardly parallel to the flange 18, as shown in Fig.4. It will also be noted that the tongue 20 has a slight inclinationfrom the perpendicular and toward the flange 18. This forms a tooth orbiting edge for gripping the upper edge of the latch arm 12. It will beobvious from Fig. 2 that the flange 18 and the tongue 20 are spacedapart sufiiciently to receive the latch arm.

Where the end 17 merges with the upper side edge of the plate, as shownin Fig. 1, the corner is bent outwardly a slight distance to provide aslight cam.

The rear end 16 of the handle has an inwardly directed edge 22. Thisedge is connected to the lower side edge of the tool 15 by means of anotch 23 and a hook 24.

After the lever 6 is placed in closed position, the tool 3 15 "is-"applied totlie latch-'arm 12, as shown in Fig. 2. In. thisposition,.the flange. 18. establishes an.angu.lar.-p.osi: tion of thetool with respect to the arm 12. At the same time, the arm is clampedbetween the flange and the tongue 20: Ddwnward pfessure 'on the handleend 1'6 (leftwar'ch as shown in Fig. 2) would serve=to-lift'.thelatch.'arm 12 intoengagin'gposition -with the leve'r 6. Inthisoperation,

theca'rn 21will ride ovr-theuib ltlgif the tool'is engagedatthe-eXtreme* right' of the intermediatepart of the arrn= 12: The}engagement of the latch is concludedby the projection riding 'under thelever 6 and into the groove 11'.

In this engaging operation; the downward inclination" of"the tongue20=insures a firnrgripof the latch-arrn 12 and' without likelihood ofslippage."

The reverse operation consists in the engagement of the arm 12 'bythe=tool 15 and' movement of the latter to-the right; as -shownbythearrow -in Fig. 2. 1 This forces theprojection 14 out of the groove11 and pivots the-arm 12 the book 24. Upward'effort applied to thehandle is efiective. to. release. the cover. without. difliculty...

The invention as described above is simple and rugged in construction,and also economical to manufacture. It is particularly well adapted foractuating the latch arm of the conventional retaining band of drums. Itis sure in its operation, and can.- be usedby anyone without requiringspecial skill.

While theprefrredfdnnofi the inventiomhas been set out. in detail, thescope of the.invention is limited solely by the terms of thefollowingicl'aimu What we claim is:

A tool for actuating a pivoted latch consisting of a flat metallic platehaving" at'one end; a corner bent at a right angle to the plate to forma narrow. flange disposed at an obtuse angle to the adjacent side edgeof the plate, a tongue struck-up from the plate inwardly of the flangeand parallel thereto, and the other corner of the end beinggzbentvoutwardlyrin the oppositeedirection to form anitinclinediicamsubstantially. in: line-with the tongue References-fined in the file:of. this patent UNITED *STATES PATENTS 899,346 Soper Sept. 22, 1908"1,'585 8'58 I-Ii'att May 25, 1926 2,006;944 Courtney July 2, 1935-2148;701" L'oy Feb. 28, 1939.' 2,345,324- Byers Mar. 28; 1944

